Bjarke Ingels’ firm is looking to improve the 1960s-designed Givskund Zoo in Denmark by giving the animals a freer range to roam.

August 07, 2014 |

BD+C Staff

Bjarke Ingels’ firm BIG is reinventing the zoo. The typical approach would be to design the space as a place where humans walk freely and the animals have smaller areas where they are displayed during open hours.

In Zootopia, the design BIG came up with to improve the 1960s-designed Givskund Zoo in Denmark, the animals were the ones given a freer range to roam, and each species will be placed in a topography modeled after their natural habitat. In fact, any form of man-made architectural component is designed to be least intrusive as possible by hiding the viewing decks within the topography.

The only prominent artificial-looking structure would be the circular crate that acts as an entry and welcoming station. From there, visitors have three other gates they can choose from: sailing in Asia, biking in Africa or flying in America (by cable car, that is).

More information and renderings on the project can be found on BIG's website.

The San Bernardino (Calif.) Valley Community College Kinesiology and Athletics Center, designed by HMC Architects. The three-story, 108,509-sf, $69 million facility has two NCAA competition gymasiums. Photo: David Fennema, HMC Architects.